Chris was a determined young man, serving and doing for others was who he was. He put emphasis on his academics in school and helped organize food drives, fund raisers and recycling efforts. He served on the student council, was an officer with the Business Professionals of America's local chapter and attended Shawnee United Methodist Church. He wanted to be a soldier and enlisted before his 2006 graduation from Shawnee High School and Apollo Career Center. When he came home on leaves, he would visit his old school in full uniform, speaking to students about preparing for their future, telling them they needed to apply themselves to everything they do. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device at the age of 19. Chris is survived by his parents, William Gary and Nancy Lee (Kelley) Neff; a sister, Shannon; paternal grandparents, Vernon and Margery Neff; four aunts, Carolyn (Richard) Cox, Marsha Baker, Mary Ann Kelley, and Carla (Jeff) Green; and two uncles, several cousins and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Carl and Virginia Kelley; and an uncle, Ronald M. Kelley.
Chris was a determined young man, serving and doing for others was who he was. He put emphasis on his academics in school and helped organize food drives, fund raisers and recycling efforts. He served on the student council, was an officer with the Business Professionals of America's local chapter and attended Shawnee United Methodist Church. He wanted to be a soldier and enlisted before his 2006 graduation from Shawnee High School and Apollo Career Center. When he came home on leaves, he would visit his old school in full uniform, speaking to students about preparing for their future, telling them they needed to apply themselves to everything they do. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device at the age of 19. Chris is survived by his parents, William Gary and Nancy Lee (Kelley) Neff; a sister, Shannon; paternal grandparents, Vernon and Margery Neff; four aunts, Carolyn (Richard) Cox, Marsha Baker, Mary Ann Kelley, and Carla (Jeff) Green; and two uncles, several cousins and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Carl and Virginia Kelley; and an uncle, Ronald M. Kelley.
